Although we play Boccia fairly often we also have an Indoor Curling set, with ‘curling stones’ on ball bearings and a target we can tape to the Hall floor.
We have not played it for a while so they both came out tonight.
There is often some friendly rivalry when we play, but everyone is friends at the end.
National Phab organised a weekend in Bournemouth, a great opportunity to get together with other Phab clubs to socialise and do some fun activities together.
A group of 21 of our members signed up for the event, had been looking forward to it for months, and now it was finally time!
With so many members going, and different needs, not only in terms of accessibility and support, but starting points and work commitments, transport is complex. Our minibus started it’s journey in Kidlington, one car started from Botley, with a pick up in Abingdon, another car from Marston, another from the Oxford Eye Hospital after it’s passenger (not the driver!) had an appointment there and then picked up luggage in Abingdon. The fourth car started after work from Banbury – collecting a passenger in Kidlington.
We did all arrive at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth, and checked in. There was an additional check in step for people with additional needs, to prepare evacuation plans for anyone who might require extra assistance, and the hotel were able to lend Strobe Light Alarms to deaf visitors.
At 7pm we had an evening meal, with options of fish pie, chicken curry, a vegetarian option, with a selection of vegetables.
This was followed by singing by the accomplished Lee Austin – who had entertained us for several years at Chichester, and a Karaoke, Games and a Disco. Some of us retired to the quiet of the bar for a chat before making our way to our rooms
A wide choice was available for breakfast between 8 and 9, though this was too early for some, who preferred a lie-in. There were cereals, and fruit salad (a little crunchy, but real, not tinned), toast and croissants , with jam made on the premises. The hot buffet had a similarly wide selection with fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, tomatoes (real ones, grilled, not tinned), and so on. It did tend to run out of some items from time to time, but was being replenished all the way through till 9.
After breakfast, or just getting up for the sleepy heads, we had a selection of morning activities.
We could indulge our inner Robin Hood or Shane in safety with rubber tipped arrows and Nerf gun darts.
For those who wanted to find their inner peace there was a Yoga session
We sat down for some sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch was followed by even more activities!
Boccia is always popular, and it was good to be able to join together with people from other clubs for a game.
George Martini and a group of Zumba enthusiasts were staying at the Hotel at the same time, so he kindly had a break from his Zumba to lead a session for us.
Some of our members chose to make friends with the animals
The hotel laid on a lesson in wine appreciation, with an experienced member of staff to take us though the wines on offer.
Bingo is another popular activity.
Have split up for all the activities everyone gathered for the Gala dinner, with a pre-dinner drink in the bar beforehand.
After we had eaten there was dancing, and a professional photographer, so some left with a memento of their weekend.
We had brought the Oxford Phab projector, but it’s bulb blew before the service, and the hotel were able to lend us one so everything was set up just in time. As on previous weekends Mary had put a lot of thought and preparation into the service, and the attendees included several who had been to the services in Chichester in previous years.
We also fitted in breakfast and packing, leaving our rooms clear for cleaning, and many enjoyed Lee’s entertaining quiz.
After a Sunday Lunch with lemon chicken, roast potatoes etc, the raffle was drawn, with some of our members winning prizes (and, as is the way with raffles, some not)
With a slight re-arrangement of passengers to accommodate different destinations, our four cars and minibus set off on the return trip. There was someone who could act as a navigator as well as the driver in each vehicle, in case of major incidents en-route, but our return was uneventful. Although we had enjoyed the weekend it was good to be home!
We had Christmas Crafts on the programme, and some members did indeed make Christmas cards – hand made cards from a friend, family member or someone you have supported through the year are very special.
We also had the Hama beads and other craft activity available.
The Hall was set up with tables and chairs for an event on Saturday, but this was no obstacle (or and obstacle we could work around!) to a little football. This is so much more challenging and interesting than playing in a large empty field! We play with a foam ball, which is less risky than a real football would have been.
We also played Boccia, another Phab favourite.
It was good to see some less familiar faces too – Phab is a social club, so the more people to socialise with the better!
Normally we play Boccia in the Hall, but as the church had been booked for a science fair and the John Wesley room were we normally chat was laid out of lectures so we resorted to the Atrium (which is a pleasant space, but a bit long and thin to chat, and has a slight slope – not ideal for Boccia.
Luckily there was enough room in the main part of the church – and most or the chairs had been moved – so this became our Boccia area.
And a good time was had by all – they had even put up festive bunting for us!
As well as our usual cups of tea or coffee and chat we played several games of Boccia. There was some fluidity in the teams, with some members playing for either, or both, while our keenest Manchester United supporters insisted on playing Red.
As we usually do, some of our members use our improvised ramp, made from a piece of plastic gutter, while others threw freehand. As usual with Phab the games were filled with some unexpectedly good throws – as well as some really wild ones which makes it more exciting than you might expect.
Oxford celebrates turning on its Christmas lights with an evening of activities at various venues, one of those being Wesley Memorial Church,
We started the evening in the Sanctuary – the main part of the church, where we chatted amongst ourselves and with church people and members of the public. We also ate Pizza, Stollen and Mince Pies. Amongst other activities one of church member was drawing caricatures of people, including some of our members.
We then moved through to the hall, and worked off some of the pizza with some hockey and boccia.
We had an enjoyable series of games of Boccia, refereed by Tom.
As we get better some games become harder to decide the score
Sometimes the scoring is easier !
As the Christian Aid Market was setting up in the John Wesley Room, we set up the Hall, both for those who wanted to sit and chat, and an area to play Boccia. This gave the Boccia players an appreciative audience.
It was great to have Hank and Joy join us for a game of Boccia. We all love to try new things and Boccia was new to them.
Tom refereed, and the games were often exciting, sometimes the jack would be hit and moved at the last minute, completely changing the state of play.
We played Boccia in the Hall, as well as our usual conversation and cups of tea or coffee in the John Wesley Room.
We are fortunate to have an experienced player who knows the rules, and who acted as our adjudicator, here checking that blue is now the closest to the jack.
We all enjoy Boccia, and some really enjoy it. The “It’s my favourite” exclamation was the response by one of our Oxford Phab members to finding that we were playing Boccia that night. As usual we play in the Hall at Wesley Memorial Church, which makes a great space for it.
This week we were especially fortunate that Tom, who actually knows the proper rules, was directing operations, and giving generous doses of encouragement.
